“Everyone who needs it should have access to palliative care so that they can have a comfortable and dignified end to their life.

“This should be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, wherever it is needed – whether that is in people’s own homes, in hospital or a hospice.

“These services also need to be available to everyone who needs them, regardless of age, medical condition or where they live.

“But older people have traditionally experienced unequal access to specialist palliative care with less than half of those who should have had this care actually receiving it – including those with conditions such as cancer.

“End of life care needs to be a national priority.

“This why we need a long-term funding commitment from the government so that everyone who needs palliative care services can receive them.“